The False Shepherds in the Land

The Shepherds are idle, and rich and fat. They feed on the portion of our tithes, but they do not feed us. They teach us lies, in exchange for our money, and they stand fervently idle, not seeking out the brethren who are the Spoiled Flock. They devour the outcasts, and call them "Heretics." They do not bind the brokenhearted, they do not seek the sick and wounded, they do not visit the captive, they prey on the widow and orphan. They teach nonsense for their sermons, and wander lightly around, feeding their full bellies with the substance of the poor and needy, and selling them on riches and fame.

I see ovens in your churches, but I see the rich eating from them. I see portions being sold to raise funds, and the freewill offerings published. I see the poor cast from the church because they smell bad, and not bathed. I see the pastor with the sleekest wagons, and finest horses money can buy. Arabian and Clydesdale, while their congregants have a mule and no oxen. I see the pastor preaching, "Believe, and there shall be opened doors." Where are the open doors? The peoples mourn, and are poor, while the rich get rich and join the fields together for themselves and no others. The poor are shamed for having no work, but lo, there is no work for the wicked are among them and the scattered sheep cannot feed or prophesy. For all are leagued against them. They go to work, as the pastors preach them how to prosper and make money--there is no more work for them to do. Yet, they are shamed. The pastors, what the poor do manage to have in their coffers, buy expensive meals, and luxurious clothing, and expensive watches and preach "Do what thou wilt to become rich!"

The prisoner, the sick, the brokenhearted, they say "You are a sinner!" To the cruel and unmerciful who are rich, they say, "Good fellow, you have brought much into your storehouse, and are a kind and decent man, for I see your pockets are deep, and they will pay my children's tuition, so they can go to seminary like me, and feast on the poor's salaries."

Where are the shepherds who wool the flock when it is summer, and grow the wool when it is winter, and milk the sheep when it is their time for milking, and nurture the lamb on their shoulders, at last, they do none of this, but stick them in a pen with cheap grains, and then fatten them and slaughter them, and then eat their meat, and drink their blood. Only one Lamb, the Lamb of God, could we do such things, and I'm afraid the blood and body of your flock is your Eucharist, and it shall damn the idle shepherds who have made a wage from their flocks, and not given them the sustenance they needed.

They promise them work, but then humiliate them. They promise them success, but it is only penury. They promise them hard work, but would not lift up the burdens themselves. Not even to call the man looking for occupation on the phone, to give him work, but then they sit in idle judgment of this fellow. Then the one who comes from a rich family, comes in his bright clothing and status of his wealth, and the pastor takes him, but the scattered sheep he lays a burden on, for he will not touch him, for he is sad.

We have nothing but shame, for you have injured us. Woe to the pastors who spoil the flock.